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Ford considering Lincoln compact to slot below MKS

Ford considering Lincoln compact to slot below MKS

Nelson Ireson September 4th, 2008 Nelson Ireson By Nelson Ireson Author September 4th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Lincoln's recent rebirth as Ford's focus for luxury, led by the 2009 MKS sedan, has targeted it for a market that doesn't focus heavily on compact cars. The game is changing, however, as even BMW and Mercedes are looking at four-cylinders and smaller cars for the U.S. market as efficiency and emissions concerns rise. According to Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product development guru, that train of thought could be making a stop at Lincoln. Specifics are still a ways out, but Kuzak says the company sees "room for a smaller car in the Lincoln brand," reports Automotive News. With the MKS (pictured) doing duty as the E-Class, 5-series and CTS-sized sedan and the recently-confirmed MKT taking on the flagship crossover segment, a compact sedan below the two could make sense. If it does come to the brand, it could share underpinnings with Ford's Kuga crossover, though some of the company's European sedans could also donate mechanical elements. If the Lincoln compact is green-lighted, it likely won't arrive for sale until 2010 at the earliest, with a 2011 date more reasonable for adequate product development, branding, styling and marketing lead-in. While it's unlikely that Lincoln would use the same EcoBoost engine it's planning for the MKS and MKT in a smaller vehicle, the performance potential of such a car would be impressive, potentially outclassing even the formidable BMW 135i's 3.0L twin-turbo inline six-cylinder with its 3.5L twin-turbo V6, rated at 340hp (253kW).
Ford considering Lincoln compact to slot below MKS

Ford considering Lincoln compact to slot below MKS

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Lincoln's recent rebirth as Ford's focus for luxury, led by the 2009 MKS sedan, has targeted it for a market that doesn't focus heavily on compact cars. The game is changing, however, as even BMW and Mercedes are looking at four-cylinders and smaller cars for the U.S. market as efficiency and emissions concerns rise. According to Derrick Kuzak, Ford's product development guru, that train of thought could be making a stop at Lincoln.

Specifics are still a ways out, but Kuzak says the company sees "room for a smaller car in the Lincoln brand," reports Automotive News. With the MKS (pictured) doing duty as the E-Class, 5-series and CTS-sized sedan and the recently-confirmed MKT taking on the flagship crossover segment, a compact sedan below the two could make sense. If it does come to the brand, it could share underpinnings with Ford's Kuga crossover, though some of the company's European sedans could also donate mechanical elements.

If the Lincoln compact is green-lighted, it likely won't arrive for sale until 2010 at the earliest, with a 2011 date more reasonable for adequate product development, branding, styling and marketing lead-in. While it's unlikely that Lincoln would use the same EcoBoost engine it's planning for the MKS and MKT in a smaller vehicle, the performance potential of such a car would be impressive, potentially outclassing even the formidable BMW 135i's 3.0L twin-turbo inline six-cylinder with its 3.5L twin-turbo V6, rated at 340hp (253kW).

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Posted in: Lincoln, Ford, News, Sedans, MKS


Comments (7 total)

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  1. By Stugots #1, Posted: 9/4/2008

    Any reason Lincoln can't focus on getting the luxury part right on its existing lineup before dumbing it down on a compact? Oh wait, I forgot the Ford mantra, "Bland for the Masses".

  2. By Laz #2, Posted: 9/4/2008

    What happened to the Couger?

  3. By NoNameDenton #3, Posted: 9/4/2008

    I thought Mercury was focusing on the small premium cars for Ford, or is that plan dead already.

  4. By Cire #4, Posted: 9/4/2008

    I thought the plan was to have Lincoln cover the midsize to large premium market while Mercury covers the subcompact to compact premium market. I understood this to mean that Lincoln wouldn't offer anything smaller than the MKZ sedan or MKX crossover. Now they are talking about producing a compact Lincoln? I thought FoMoCo had this scenario straightened out with well defined roles for Mercury and Lincoln, but then they turn around and muddy the waters again with this announcement.

    This is how I envisioned the future Lincoln-Mercury lineup based on their earlier announcement about the divisions complementing each other:
    * Mercury Lynx: Subcompact premium 3-door/5-door (B3 Platform)
    * Mercury Tracer: Subcompact premium crossover (B3 Platform)
    * Mercury Milan: Next generation shrinks to become a compact premium coupe/sedan (C1 Platform)
    * Mercury Mariner: Compact premium crossover (C1 Platform)
    * Mercury Capri: Premium retractable hardtop roadster (Mazda MX-5 Platform)
    * Mercury Cougar: Compact premium coupe-cabriolet (IRS version of D2C Platform)
    * Lincoln MKZ: Midsize premium coupe/sedan (CD3 or EUCD Platform)
    * Lincoln MKX: Midsize premium crossover (CD3 or EUCD Platform)
    * Lincoln MKS: Large premium sedan (D3 Platform)
    * Lincoln MKT: Large premium crossover (D4 Platform)

    With this new announcement, I am not sure how the lineups will look.

  5. By NaBUru38 #5, Posted: 9/4/2008

    Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, Saab and Volvo all have compact luxury sedans/wagons. Cadillac has the BLS in Europe, and will release a compact sedan in North America anytime. Why can't Lincoln?

  6. By Adam #6, Posted: 9/4/2008

    Because unlike those brands, Lincoln has to share the showroom floor with its sister Mercury. As things stand now, the MKZ/Zephyr is just a warmed over Mercury Milan sold by the same sales staff. Awkward indeed, even if the two brands are marketed to different genders. Any more brand dilution would represent yet another unfortunate cheap, fast and ultimately misguided exercise in badge engineering. Everyone remember the Cadillac Cimarron, which was just a Chevy Cavalier with leather and fake wood? It wasn't a pretty sight and did the Caddy brand absolutely no favors. Ditto the Jaguar X-type.

  7. By www.mywheelsonwalls.com #7, Posted: 9/4/2008

    NaBUru38- I'll let you in on a little secret. FORD IS NOT RUN THE FROM CEO'S DESK!!!!!!!!!! The CEO has to call little Billy who then runs it by the family. You have to understand that the family is worth billions when they combine all their wealth and staying billionaires is their top priority. Ever wonder why none of them actively work at Ford anymore?

    Just ask the last several CEO's what the ultimate problem was? Yes Mr. Nasser had a major ego which didnt help further more his kids would get free Ford cars and return them completly trashed and full of trash creating more distance between him and management. As for Mr. Iacoca read his book(s) they all spell the same problem.

    Ultimately when Ford the family makes a decision they stick with it even if market conditions change during the implementation. On other hand, the fact that F150 production goals and launch dates have changed in the middle of implementaion shows that just maybe there is hope yet for teaching an old dog new tricks.........

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